Post-Adoption Resources

NTDC
Designed to help foster, kinship and adoptive families prepare for their parenting journey with a child who has experienced trauma, separation and loss.
Self-assessment, interactive trainings, webinars
https://ntdctraining.org/

OKFOSTERS
Curriculum for foster and adoptive parents who are raising children who have moderate to severe emotional and behavioral challenges.
Interactive trainings, webinars
https://okfosters.org/online-training/

Children Said
Free webinars that focus on strengthening families and communications.
https://training.childrensaid.org/

AdoptionUK FASD-Hub
National support service for parents and caregivers who are raising children, young people and young adults with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure, with or without an FASD diagnosis. The hub offers practical resources, fact sheets, parent training and monthly webinars to build understanding, confidence and connection.
Webinars, support, education
https://www.adoptionuk.org/fasd-hub

RAD Advocates
RAD Advocates guides and advocates for parents as they navigate developmental trauma, commonly diagnosed as reactive attachment disorder.
Blog, podcast, possible support
https://www.radadvocates.org/

RAD SIBS
Website for parents and siblings who have someone in their family with a RAD diagnosis. It includes informational resources about RAD and a community of people who have RAD siblings or children sharing what they have gone through in video form.
https://radsibs.org/

FosterAdoptMN – Relationship Development
Webinars, fast facts, resource guides
https://www.fosteradoptmn.org/resources/

Attitude – ADHD Science and Strategies
Helps individuals with ADHD and related neurodiversity conditions, as well as their families, educators and professionals. It offers practical articles, expert advice, personal stories, webinars and downloadable resources designed to support understanding, management and improvement of everyday life—including for adoptive families navigating ADHD or behavioral needs.
Education, support, webinars
https://www.additudemag.com/

South Dakota Family Engagement Center
The South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center (SFEC) connects students, families, schools and communities to support learners from “cradle to career.” SFEC focuses on helping all students—especially ELL, economically disadvantaged and minority learners—achieve academic and life goals.
https://sdsfec.org/families/

FosterClub
FosterClub is a youth-driven organization created to support and empower young people who experience foster care. While foster care provides a vital safety net, it also presents unique challenges. FosterClub offers direct, peer-delivered support through camps, conferences, tip sheets, publications and online communities to help youth not only survive but also thrive. The organization also works to improve the foster care system by elevating the voices of those with lived experience. Through its three-pronged approach, FosterClub places Lived Experience (Lex) Leaders at the forefront of shaping public policy, child welfare practices and public awareness.
https://www.fosterclub.com/

7 insights and 7 gifts Attachment Training
This series (developed in partnership with the TCU Institute of Child Development) offers seven insights and seven gifts that are highly relevant for those who are parenting children who have experienced trauma, were adopted or are in foster care. The short training videos (1–6 minutes each) equip parents with knowledge of the most important aspects of attachment and tools for how to create harmony in their relationship with children who have experienced trauma.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9WCXSvAXd6MyxjybNlFmZEl0tsKww97r

Mental Health Training: MindSpring
MindSpring provides no-cost mental health education, support and advocacy programs, including children’s mental health. All of MindSpring’s programs feature evidence-based curriculum and are available to all community members.
https://www.mindspringhealth.org/get-involved/webinars-and-events

Parenting Different
Newsletter for adoptive parents who want insights from lived experience, trauma-informed guidance and encouraging support. Included are practical tools for navigating parenting through trauma, adoption and racial identity with a judgment-free community that turns guilt into confident, present parenting.
Newsletter, educational
https://www.parentingdifferent.com/

Jessica Sinarksi
Newsletter, books, educational
https://jessicasinarski.com/

C.A.S.E.
Various resources including adoption-competent therapy and support for adoptive, foster and kinship families. Their TAC-trained therapists specialize in trauma, attachment, identity, loss and grief, and executive functioning, and they offer parent support groups to help families thrive.
Educational, support, webinars
https://adoptionsupport.org/

Social Workers Tool Box
Various resources including worksheets, booklets, advice sheets, templates and workbooks that are available for download. There are resources on adoption and fostering, mental health, anger, feelings and more.
https://www.socialworkerstoolbox.com/

Creating a Family
Creating a Family is a support and training nonprofit for foster, adoptive and kinship families. Their mission is to strengthen families and the professionals who support them by creating evidence-based, trauma-informed resources, community support and training. Their vision is that every child has a family who understands their unique strengths and challenges and is equipped to help them thrive.
https://creatingafamily.org/

Empowered to Connect Podcast
The Empowered to Connect Podcast a place where people come together to discuss an attachment-rich, healing-centered approach to engagement and wellbeing for ourselves, our families and our communities.
https://empowered-to-connect-podcast.castos.com/

The Empowered Parent Podcast
The Empowered Parent Podcast is the official podcast of One Big Happy Home. They want to equip parents how to empower their children and build healthy relationships in order to see lasting change in behaviors and thrive as a family. This podcast is for anyone who is parenting kids through adoption, foster care, kinship care or those who are in the process. The podcast is for anyone who has kids who have experienced trauma, families of all kinds and professionals who serve families and want more tools to help their families succeed.
https://www.onebighappyhome.com/podcast/

SAFECAMP Audio Podcast
Audio hub with podcasts on topics like foster care, adoption, youth justice and kinship.
https://safecampaudio.org/

Real Mom Podcast
A podcast for biological, foster and adoptive moms. Sometimes, you don’t want to hear from experts. Sometimes, you just want to hear about real life, from real moms.
https://www.fosterthefamilyblog.com/realmompodcast

Adoption Wise Podcasts
Library of podcasts relating to being an adoptive parent and/or an adoptive child.
https://adoptionwise.org/category/podcast/

The Baffling Behavior Show
Robyn Gobbel, Author/Speaker
https://robyngobbel.com/

TBRI® Podcast
The TBRI Podcast features conversations about Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. The podcast talks about the elements of trauma-informed care with experts in the field about implementing TBRI across different communities of care and practice. It empowers parents, professionals and students with trauma-informed strategies that improve outcomes for children and youth.
https://child.tcu.edu/podcast/#sthash.3ateQ6xK.dpbs

Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption, Foster and Kinship Care
Every week, they interview leading experts for an hour, discussing the topics you care about in deciding whether to adopt or foster or how to be a better parent. Their mission is to strengthen these families and the professionals who support them by creating evidence-based, trauma-informed resources.
https://creatingafamily.org/category/radio-show/

Marie Discovers Her Superpowers
Marie doesn’t want to go to the park anymore. Mom introduces her to Dr. Chaitra, a transracial adoptee just like Marie, who helps kids talk about tough feelings. In therapy, Marie finds the courage to share how she felt when a family at the park peppered her with hurtful questions.
By: Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker

Surrounded by Love
This modern take on the “where did you come from” adoption book celebrates open adoption. Through words and illustrations, the characters express the immense amount of love that everyone involved in the process has for the adoptee.
By: Allison Olson

ABC, Adoption & Me
ABC, Adoption & Me will warm hearts, deepen understanding of what it means to be an adoptive family and provide teaching moments that bring families closer, connected in truth, compassion and joy. The book includes a parental guide to assist parents in mastering a nurturing approach to adoption complexity.
By: Gayle & Casey Swift

Learning About My Friend’s Adoption
When a curious young boy learns that his friend has been adopted, he embarks on a quest to uncover the meaning of adoption. Armed with a multitude of questions, he eagerly listens to his friend’s captivating narrative, unveiling a profound journey that will leave readers touched and enlightened.
By: Allison Olson

Casey Conquers Bedtime
Casey doesn’t like bedtime. His parents introduce him to Dr. Chaitra, a transracial adoptee just like Casey, who explains how going to sleep and even waking up can bring up scary feelings for adopted kids. She helps Casey think about bedtime differently and combines a special story with his love of musical instruments to teach his brain and body that sleep is safe.
By: Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker

Hello Anxiety
Join Destiny Davis on an inspiring journey of resilience. This vibrant picture book teaches readers that bravery isn’t the absence of anxiety—it’s saying “hello” to our fears and finding our way through.
By: Jessica Sinarksi

The Seven Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency Workbook for Children and Teens
This unique, important workbook provides tools, knowledge and insights that every professional (and parent) should have to help children and teens overcome their challenges and enhance their lives
By: Allison Davis Maxon

The Connected Child
A go-to book for adoptive and foster parents, especially those parenting children from difficult pasts. It offers practical, compassionate advice to help build trust, manage behavior and strengthen connection. Based on TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention), it’s especially useful for parenting children who’ve experienced trauma, neglect or institutionalization.
By: Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross and Wendy Lyons Sunshine

Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Written by an adoptee, this book gives voice to the often-hidden emotional world of adopted children. It helps adoptive parents understand grief, loss, identity struggles and how to offer meaningful support.
By: Sherrie Eldridge

The Body Keeps the Score
Although not adoption-specific, this is an essential read on how trauma reshapes the body and brain. Many adopted children carry early trauma, and this book explains its effects and introduces healing strategies through therapy, movement and connection.
By: Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

Wounded Children, Healing Homes
Focused on Christian families, this book provides guidance for parents fostering or adopting children with emotional or behavioral challenges. It blends psychological insights with spiritual perspective and practical advice.
By: Jayne E. Schooler, Betsy Keefer Smalley and Timothy J. Callahan

Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens
Written by therapists who specialize in adoption, this book is especially helpful for parenting adopted tweens and teens. It explores identity formation, grief and how to guide teens through complex emotions.
By: Debbie Riley and John Meeks

In On It: What Adoptive Parents Would Like You to Know About Adoption
Perfect for extended family and friends of adoptive parents as well as the parents themselves. It provides tools for navigating questions, comments and societal assumptions about adoption in a respectful way.
By: Elisabeth O’Toole

Attaching in Adoption
A deep dive into attachment theory as it relates to adoption. Offers guidance for forming healthy bonds, especially for children who’ve experienced trauma, loss or institutional care. Useful for both adoptive parents and professionals.
By: Deborah Gray

When Love Is Not Enough: A Guide to Parenting Children with Reactive Attachment Disorder
A strong-voiced, controversial yet widely read book on parenting children who resist attachment. Offers specific tools for structure, safety and emotional healing. Some therapists see it as too strict—others find it life-saving. Best to read critically and alongside other trauma-informed approaches.
By: Nancy Thomas

Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Troubled Children
Told as a fictionalized narrative of a young girl with RAD, this book explains PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) and offers deeply empathetic strategies for rebuilding attachment in hurt children. It’s a mix of clinical insight and storytelling.
By: Daniel A. Hughes

The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity
Known as a crusading physician delivering targeted care to vulnerable children. The stunning news of Burke Harris’s research is just how deeply our bodies can be imprinted by ACEs—adverse childhood experiences like abuse, neglect, parental addiction, mental illness and divorce. Childhood adversity changes our biological systems, and lasts a lifetime.
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris